Wizards: Starting with Synthetic Gems

Chapter 498 Negotiating with the True Knowledge Institute

Locke made up his mind. "It's an option, but only by going to the best wizarding academy can I access the most cutting-edge magical research."

"The Advanced Academy of Truth offers an opportunity to young first-ring wizards like us. So, we definitely have to go to the Advanced Academy of Truth in the Three Swamps."

"The exit requirements for the three advanced academies of knowledge are actually quite similar."

“Then I can choose from them. Boniface University is the most comprehensive, while the Rose Council is a wizarding organization that specializes in the research of [rose-type magical plants].

Locke flipped through the documents. "The Rose Council has the most comprehensive research on rose-type magical plants in the Three Swamps, from the Thorn Crown Rose to the Healing Silver Dew Rose to the Seven-Petal Pink Cluster Rose. There are many varieties, and the flowers are very beautiful."

"The Rose Council seems to believe that the colors of the enchanted roses are deeply connected to human emotions, which is why the colors of roses are so beautiful and varied. Therefore, the Rose Council's enchanted roses have been studied in great depth by both the enchanting and mind magic schools."

Through the information, Locke learned that the Rose Council, one of the seven top wizarding organizations in Yunze Wetland, had made an important achievement in the fields of breeding and botany—the study of the language of roses.

The Rose Language of the Rose Council is very powerful in the Three Swamps and even the entire Eastern Frontier. This is because the entire Rose Language was forcibly proposed by the President of the Rose Council—the Rose Witch, a Third-Ring Wizard and Throne Wizard—who hopes to increase the number of articles in this small field of study and help her become a Fourth-Ring Wizard, or even obtain the title of Wizard of Truth.

To achieve this, a succession of outstanding wizards are needed to join her school of thought, delve into and expand every branch of the study of the language of roses, and make the study of the language of roses a prominent field of study.

“In the study of rose language, almost all magical rose plants correspond to a very subtle emotion,” Locke said. “Moreover, because this is the research of the Throne Wizards, the research is very detailed, and the subdivision of those emotions has reached a level that ordinary people cannot understand.”

Locke saw in the book that, for example, a large red rose represents passionate, jealous love based on intense emotions, while a double-petaled red rose represents passionate love based on shared ideals.

Both types of rose magic plants are a type of rose magic plant, and both are apprentice-level magic plants. However, under the guidance of the breeding branch of rose language, the two are quite different.

“But I’m not very familiar with rose magic plants. Joining the Rose Council’s Advanced Institute of Truth requires a serious change in my future research direction,” Locke said. “Aside from the Dragon Might I gained using plant mimicry, which is a Mind School magic, I’ve basically had little contact with Mind School and Enchantment School magic.”

“Choosing the Rose Council’s Advanced Institute of Truth is extremely likely to cause me to suffer from culture shock. If I am forced to leave the station because I cannot meet the exit conditions within a certain time, it would be a complete waste of five years of my life.”

Unlike wizarding colleges, True Knowledge College has a time limit for leaving a place, usually five to ten years. Only in extremely rare cases will a wizard be allowed to stay in a True Knowledge College for twenty years.

Locke thought for a moment, “The remaining Bonifacius University is a comprehensive university. It is strong in breeding, botany and meteorology, and it is also good at magic painting and textile and construction. These six magic sub-colleges are all strong colleges of Bonifacius.”

"Boniface University has a total of 57 subcategories of magic disciplines, which are divided into 57 colleges."

“Each subcategory of magic has an academy, with the Breeder Academy ranking second and the Weather Master Academy ranking first.”

Locke nodded slightly. "Boniface University is strongest in four areas: the Alchemy School in textile magic, the Life School in breeding and botany, the Evocation School in weathercraft, and the Illusion School in magic painting."

"Golden Crown Mountain, on the other hand, focuses on bloodline science and breeding science, as well as the power science school, and... botany."

“I can actually choose between Golden Crown Mountain and Bonifacio University,” Locke said. “Whichever I choose, the difference won’t be significant.”

Locke pondered for a moment, then opened his Gray Mist Slab. He still possessed a privilege reserved for the Cloud Ze Cup champion—the Cloud Ze Cup tournament committee would intervene and help him negotiate terms with the leaders of his desired Advanced True Knowledge Academy.

This is a right unique to the champion of the Yunze Cup.

Locke had a private conversation with Director Morrison through the Cloud Cup group on the Gray Mist Slab.

Because this small group was created entirely by the invasion of the water hyacinth system in Yunze Wetland, Locke could use the Gray Mist Slate to have a video conversation with Director Morrison without having to pay for a Gold Membership.

Before the gray mist stone slab, the shadow of Director Morrison appeared. Director Morrison seemed to be in his laboratory, instructing the first-ring wizard junior mentors.

All the plants in the laboratory were not in flowerpots, but in water spheres suspended in mid-air.

Director Morrison said, "I see. Your choice to enter the Advanced Institute of Truth is a wise one."

"For a first-ring wizard as excellent as you, choosing to enter the Advanced Institute of Truth is more suitable for you, and obtaining advanced meditation techniques there is actually easier..."

Seeing Locke's puzzled expression, Director Morrison smiled and said, "That's normal. If a young first-ring wizard enters the Advanced Academy of Truth, he won't be a mentor, but rather half mentor and half student." "Since he's half a student, he'll definitely be mostly trained. Therefore, the graduation requirements for the Advanced Academy of Truth will be extremely high."

Director Morrison said, "So, for that very reason, it is much easier to obtain advanced meditation techniques than in other wizarding organizations, and the Advanced Institute of Knowledge has many advanced meditation techniques."

"So, you'll have more options to choose from. Overall, your choice is very good."

Director Morrison said, "Locke, I don't know what terms you want me to negotiate with the two higher-level institutes of truth, but it is true that negotiating terms one-on-one would be very complicated, but it would be much simpler and more convenient if we were to talk to each other one-on-two."

"As the champion of the Yunze Cup, you have the right to choose. Choose whichever advanced academy can make more concessions to you."

Locke thanked Director Morrison, saying, "Then I'll trouble you, Director. But what conditions do you suggest I negotiate with the Higher Institute of Truth?"

Dean Morrison pondered for a moment and said, "Generally speaking, for ordinary wizards, the simpler the exit conditions of the Advanced Knowledge Institute, the better."

"Therefore, many wizards tend to talk to the Institute of True Knowledge about how to simplify the exit conditions. But I don't recommend you do that, because the exit conditions are difficult, which is precisely why the exit certificate from the Advanced Institute of True Knowledge is so valuable."

Dean Morrison said, "Moreover, I think that with your abilities, publishing three articles in Zone 1, completing a sub-project of a key project, concluding a Zone 1 fund, and mentoring two Zone 1 wizarding students should be something that you are fully capable of doing."

"On the contrary, I think you should regard these harsh exit conditions as milestones to hone yourself. Passing these milestones represents your achievements on the path of magic."

Dean Morrison said, "So I suggest that you focus your negotiations on the funding that the True Knowledge Institute will provide for your project and your research."

"For example, how much funding will you be given? Can you allocate your funding freely, or do you need a mentor from Zhenzhi Academy to sign off on it? Is your allocation limited? Can you make your own decisions about your research project, or do you have to follow the guidance of a mentor from Zhenzhi Academy, or be monitored by others?"

"That is, the amount of funding allocated each year, the freedom to allocate the funding, the autonomy to choose research topics, the autonomy to determine research directions, and, most importantly besides money, the ability to independently recruit wizards, as well as the personnel allocated to you by the True Knowledge Institute."

Dean Morrison said, "I suggest you have a good talk with the advanced institute of truth you want to attend."

After listening, Locke felt there was nothing to add, so he nodded and said, "Yes, Lord Morrison, I'll leave it to you."

Director Morrison said, "It is my duty. As the champion of the Yunze Cup tournament that I am in charge of, you should naturally sign a contract that is more suitable for you."

In the wizarding world, besides the importance of mentorship and affiliation with a wizarding academy, the championship title in such an important competition is also a significant social connection and label.

The future development of Locke will, to a large extent, affect the prestige of the Yunze Cup competition.

In other words, the Yunze Cup has only been held for a short time, so none of the past champions have advanced to the third ring yet. There are only a few who have already gone very far in the second ring wizard stage.

However, if the champions of the Yunze Cup advance to the third-ring wizarding class, the prestige of the Yunze Cup will be further enhanced. The quality of the participants, the investors willing to invest in the competition, and the number of wizarding schools that recognize the prestige of the competition will all increase.

Therefore, in addition to his duties, Director Morrison was indeed very motivated to negotiate a good contract for Locke.

On the gray fog stone slab, Director Morrison said to Locke, "Actually, in my personal opinion, I think you, little Locke, are more suited to the Advanced Institute of Truth at Bonifacius University."

Locke asked, "Lord Morrison, why is that?"

“Of course I’m not speaking for my own school,” Director Morrison said. “Boniface University’s breeding and botany are more balanced, while the breeding of the Golden Crown Mountain Dragon Blood Society is more agriculture-oriented. After all, Golden Crown Mountain is dominated by the Power and Bloodline School. Although breeding is also a flagship major, it leans towards the field of high-value agricultural magical plants.”

"Of course, this bias is more obvious for us third-ring and second-ring wizards, but it doesn't have much impact on you first-ring wizards. I remember there are several large-scale breeding projects for combat magical plants being carried out at Golden Crown Mountain, which is actually enough for you young first-ring wizards to learn."

Director Morrison said, "Okay, that's enough for now. I'm still working on an experiment about how tides affect plant growth rates."

"The specifics will depend on my discussions with the two advanced institutes of truth."

(End of this chapter)